Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te pledged to remain with the military and defend Taiwan as China conducted its two-day-long martial exercises, according to Focus Taiwan.
The chairman of Taiwan pledged this during a visit to a Sea center on Thursday afternoon, just before China held two nights of military exercises centered on Taiwan.
Lai, who is the commander in chief of the region’s military forces, stated in his first visit to the 66th regiment of the Marine Corps in Taoyuan that “my duty is to protect the region and ensure the safety of all people.”
In the face of “external challenges and threats, we will continue to defend the values of freedom and democracy, and protect regional peace and stability”, Lai said, noting that he would” stand alongside” all military personnel and “protect national security”.
Lai farther assured all citizens as he expressed confidence in the government’s capacity to remain steadfast at their posts and job to safeguard national security, according to Focus Taiwan.
He reiterated his commitment to continue to drive for military measures, improve the country’s military capabilities, and maintain better care for all military personnel.
However, Lai did not directly address the previously unannounced military exercises that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army ( PLA ) conducted on Thursday morning.
The People’s Liberation Army ( PLA ) began a series of joint military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, the north, south and east of Taiwan Island, and the areas around the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin “from 7: 45 am on Thursday, Xinhua reported.
Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin are all Taiwan- controlled lands in the Taiwan Strait shut to China’s south beach, Focus Taiwan reported.
Without going into specifics, Li Xi, a spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command, stated that the tasks were intended to be a” strong abuse” for the separatist actions of “taiwan freedom” forces and a” harsh alert” against the interference and provocation by external forces.
According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, as part of the drills, dozens of Chinese fighter jets carrying live ammunition carried out mock strikes against” high- value military targets” of the” enemy “alongside destroyers, frigates and missile speedboats.
